How To Test The Fuel Pump (2001-2004 3.0L Ford Escape)

TEST 2: Using Starting Fluid To Confirm Lack Of Fuel

The cool thing about using starting fluid is that it's a quick way of determining if a lack of fuel is causing your vehicle not to start.

The one thing you need to keep in mind is that the starting fluid test's accuracy depends on having spark at all 6 cylinders. On the Ford Escape, this means testing at least the 3 ignition coils (that face the radiator) for spark with a spark tester. If all 3 are sparking, then you can assume that the rear 3 ignition coils are too and you can proceed with the starting fluid test.

IMPORTANT: This is a very fast and easy test but you do have to take one very important safety precaution and this is to reconnect the air intake duct after spraying starting fluid down the throttle bore (although you don't have to fasten it). This will prevent any backfire, that might occur, from scaring the heck out of you when cranking the engine.

This is what you have to do:

1. 1

   Remove the intake air duct from the throttle body. You don't have to completely remove it, since you'll have to reconnect it in one of the next steps.

2. 2

   Open the throttle plate and spray starting fluid down the bore.
   
   As a safety precaution reconnect the air duct after you have sprayed a good squirt of starting fluid (but you don't have to tighten the air duct's hose clamp).

3. 3

   Crank the engine once the air duct is back on and you're clear of the engine compartment.

4. 4

   You'll get one of two results with this test:
   
   1.) The engine will start momentarily and after a few seconds will die or.
   
   2.) The engine will only crank but not start at all.

OK, let's find out what your results mean:

CASE 1: If the engine started and ran for a few seconds. This test result tells you that the no-start problem is due to a lack of fuel.

Your next step is to check to see what the fuel pressure is with a fuel pressure test gauge. Go to: TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge.

CASE 2: The engine did not start, not even momentarily. This usually means that a lack of fuel IS NOT the reason your car is not starting.

Now, remember what I said about this test not being very accurate? Well, I suggest you do one more test and this is to check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure test gauge. Go to: TEST 1: Checking Fuel Pressure With A Fuel Pressure Gauge.

Location Of The Schrader Valve

NOTE: The photo above is of a 2001 3.0L Ford Escape's Schrader valve.

The Schrader valve is located on the metal line that extends from the fuel injector rail. As you can see in the photo above, it's located under the upper intake manifold's throttle body. Also, the fuel line, that supplies fuel from the fuel tank, connects to this metal line.

Fuel Pump Inertia Switch

Your Ford Escape comes equipped with a safety device called a fuel pump inertia switch. When the inertia switch is jolted into action (by an impact such as your vehicle hitting another), the fuel pump is de-activated and your Ford Escape's engine is not gonna' start. It'll crank but not start, which can lead you to believe that the fuel pump is bad.

Although it's designed to activate during a severe impact caused by an automobile accident, sometimes it gets activated by less than severe impacts. This means that it's always a good idea to check and reset the inertia switch whenever testing the fuel pump.

Resetting the fuel pump inertia switch simply involves pushing down on the button located on top of the inertia switch till it bottoms out. The next step is then to crank the engine to see if it starts. If the engine now starts, then this confirms that the fuel pump inertia switch was indeed activated and had de-activated the fuel pump.

Where To Buy The Fuel Pump And Save

The fuel pump in your 3.0L Ford Escape is located inside the fuel tank. The fuel pump can be bought in any auto parts store, but I think you'll find the better price online. The following fuel pumps are pretty good deals:

Not sure if the above fuel pumps fit your particular 3.0L Ford Escape? Don't worry, once you get to the site, they'll make sure it fits by asking you the specifics of your vehicle. If it doesn't fit, they'll find you the right one.